World Cup Final 2010: Holland 0-1 Spain - Iniesta Ends Years Of Underachievement

Spain becomes the eighth different team to win the World Cup, after a bruising and battering game in Soccer City on Sunday night.  Barcelona playmaker Andreas Iniesta was the difference, settling the outcome with Holland when we looked set for another final to be decided via the cruel fashion of penalties.

On paper, this match had the ingredients to be an absolute classic.  Holland, despite lacking the former ‘Total Football,’ guise, were playing well and in players like Arjen Robben and Wesley Snejider, the quality to turn a game on its head, just ask Brazil.  Spain turned up as slight favourites, and could also turn on the style when required, but also have the ability to grind out a result, should it be required.  Sadly, the billing didn’t live up to its occasion. 

Early on, it was the Spanish who produced the early pressing, with Maarten Stelkenberg forced into a smart save from a Sergio Ramos header.  Soon afterwards, the game transcended into a wrestling contest.  The Dutch took the ‘1990 Argentina’ approach, kick the living daylights out of your opponents and hope for the best.  English referee Howard Webb struggled to keep a complete control on events, slightly flustered it seemed, by having to dish out five yellow cards in fifteen mad minutes.  Mark Van Bommel was a disgrace all night, bickering with every single decision that Webb made, and as the game wore on, the Dutch started to drag their opponents into a wrestling contest.  Shortly before half-time, Nigel de Jong, Manchester City’s defensive shield, produced a shocking ‘kung-fu’ kick on ex-Liverpool man Xabi Alonso.  Webb tried desperately to not send anyone off, but how de Jong escaped with a challenge that frankly, is more associated with a cage fighting battle, is beyond me. 

In the second half, Snejider, involved in the general fracas, produced a moment of quality; with a measured pass which Gerard Pique made a meal of it.  Consequently, Robben was in the clear, with the whites of the goalposts beckoning.  Unfortunately, his shot was saved by Iker Casillas, with his legs.  Was that Holland’s golden chance?  During the brutal assaults on players, Ramos missed a golden chance with another header, and David Villa, desperate to score another goal that would win him the golden boot, narrowly missed making contact with a Jesus Navas low cross.  As extra-time beckoned, the yellow card count increased.  Howard Webb eventually showed 14, a new record for the World Cup final.

In extra-time, Robben missed another chance and was promptly booked for dissent, whilst substitute Cesc Fabregas missed a one-on-one.  Before the end of the first period, Johnny Heitinga took out Iniesta cynically and having being booked, Webb had no option, but to send the Everton defender off the field.  In the process, Heitinga joined the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Marcel Desailly in becoming the fifth player in World Cup final history to be dismissed.  With five minutes left, a Dutch free-kick took a double deflection off Fabregas and went behind.  Webb missed the deflection and left Holland incensed.  They then wanted a free-kick for a challenge by Joan Capdevilla on Eljero Elia, which wasn’t given. 

The Spanish went down the other end, and at the second attempt, Fabregas played a lovely ball through to Iniesta, who shook off Gregory Van der Wiel’s attention and stroked the winner past the despairing Stelkenberg.  Although Fernando Torres pulled up in the closing exchanges, with a suspected groin injury, Spain held on for a deserved success.

It was left to captain Iker Casillas to lift the trophy aloft, and ensure that the Spanish are really, the total dominant force in the international game.  They become the first team to win the World Cup, after losing their opening group game, as they did against Switzerland on June 16^th in Durban.  Despite only amassing eight goals in seven games, the Spanish deserve this success because they attempted to play football.  On Sunday, Holland turned the beautiful game into a disgraceful act of foul play, they got what they deserved which was nothing and scathing criticism worldwide.

CONGRATULATIONS SPAIN, ON BECOMING 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP WINNERS.     

World Cup Report - The Semi-Finals

Two more games done, two more left and now, the scene is set, after two mouth-watering and gripping semi-finals.  Whatever happens tomorrow night in Soccer City, we will have a new name on the FIFA World Cup trophy.  Here is a round-up of how Holland and Spain managed to make the final of the greatest show on earth, in midweek.

Tuesday 6^th July: Uruguay 2-3 Holland

Holland reached their first World Cup final in 32 years, after a hard-fought 3-2 win against the surprise package of the tournament, Uruguay in Cape Town.  With the Dutch looking short of ideas infront of goal, they turned to a spectacular long-range effort from Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.  The Dutch skipper, who is retiring from international football after these finals, launched a rasping drive from 30 yards out on 19 minutes, which no goalkeeper in the world would stop.  A resolute Uruguay equalised before half-time, when Maarten Stelkenberg failed to deal with a swerving left-foot shot, by Diego Forlan.  With the game looking set for extra-time, the Dutch scored twice in three minutes, to take the game away from their opponents.  First, Wesley Snejider’s 5^th goal of this tournament, which was allowed to stand, despite Robin Van Persie looking like, he was in an offside position.  Moments afterwards, Arjen Robben’s deft header from a Dirk Kuyt cross looked to have settled the outcome.  Despite the absence of Luis Suarez through suspension, Uruguay continued to fight on, and in time added on, Maxi Pereira pulled one back, to ensure a dramatic and nail-biting finish.  However, the Dutch held on to set up an all-European final.  For five goals, this was a cagey semi-final, with moments of magic and some will argue that Holland hasn’t played their most attractive football ever.  However, you don’t reach a World Cup final, having won 6 matches out of 6 by accident.

Wednesday 7^th July: Germany 0-1 Spain

In an intriguing match in Durban, Spain reached their first ever World Cup final, after recording a narrow and probably, surprising win over the tournament favourites, Germany.  After exposing the frailties of the England and Argentina defences, the German counter-attack was tamed to perfection by the well-organised Spanish defence.  By keeping the likes of Meszut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger quiet, service to Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski was rather limited.  Spain had the better chances, and with fifteen minutes remaining, Xavi’s wonderful corner was met by the Barcelona skipper Carlos Puyol.  Puyol, a centre-back by trade and having only scored twice in his distinguished international career before, powered a bullet of a header past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer before he could even see it.  For Germany, this was a step too far for their youngsters, but they will be back and are bound to only get stronger in the years to come.  For Spain, the opportunity to become European and World champions, and become the first side to win the tournament, having lost their first match of the finals, ironically in Durban to Switzerland back on June 16^th.  The stage is set for a fantastic match-up with the Dutch tomorrow night. 

3^RD PLACE PLAYOFF: Uruguay v Germany               

(Port Elizabeth)                                ITV1       Tonight at 7.30pm

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL: Holland v Spain    

(Soccer City, Johannesburg)       ITV1/BBC1           Tomorrow night from 6.30pm (Kick-Off at 7.30pm) 

World Cup Report - Day 20-21

We are now entering the final stages of has been a gruelling and exhilarant 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.  Despite the absence of some major players in the latter stages, like France, Portugal and Italy, the quarter-finals brought a lot of drama and controversy to the theatre of football.  At the weekend, it was South America’s turn to suffer, as the European game fought back in style, to dominate the semi-finals again.  Here is a round-up of the action, including missed penalties, blatant handballs and deliberate stamps! Yes, this four quarter-finals had it all.

Friday 2^nd July: Holland 2-1 Brazil

In a dramatic first quarter-final in Port Elizabeth, Holland produced a stunning second-half fightback to overcome a brutal and bullish Brazilian side, which lost their lead and their head in sensational fashion.  In this fourth meet-up behind the two stylish outfits in World Cup history, it was Brazil who took command in the first half, with Robinho beating a poor offside trap, to slice Dunga’s side infront on ten minutes.  Having looked toothless in the first half, the Dutch put the normally reliable Brazilian defence under pressure after the break, and it worked, with perfect results.  Six minutes into the second half, Wesley Snejider whipped a dangerous ball into the penalty area, which caused a horrific defensive mix-up.  Julio Cesar missed his cross completely, and lacked the usual composure – not calling for defensive midfielder Felipe Melo to miss the ball.  Instead, the helpless Juventus player flicked the ball into his own net, though FIFA have since credited the goal to Snejider.  Snejider’s second of the game came with just over twenty minutes to go, heading in unchallenged from another set-piece, after a clever flick-on from the hard-working Dirk Kuyt.  Melo’s afternoon got worse, when he was sent off by the Japanese referee with sixteen minutes remaining, for a cheeky and deliberate stamp on Arjen Robben.  Although Robben made the most of it, Melo’s actions were both cynical and stupid, and he will be lucky not to have his ban increased by FIFA.  Despite intense Brazilian pressure, they ran out of time and exit the World Cup at the last eight for the second successive finals.  Dunga has paid the price, with his job in the process.  For the Orange Army, a first semi-final in twelve years beckons, and who knows, possibly a first ever World Championship at the end of it.

Friday 2^nd July: Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (AET) URUGUAY WON 4-2 ON PENALTIES

Africa’s hope of having its first ever representative in the semi-finals were ended in heartbreaking fashion after a breathless two hours of football in Soccer City.  With the score tied at 1-1, in the dying stages of extra-time, controversy took over, with accusations of dirty play and cheating.  Uruguay failed to deal with a long throw-in and in the ensuring goalmouth scramble, Ajax striker Luis Suarez deliberately handled on the line, preventing a certain goal in the process.  He was sent off, but seconds later, tears turned to celebration, when Asamoah Gyan, who had already scored two penalties in this tournament, smashed this kick onto the top of the crossbar, with the last kick of the match.  Earlier, Sulley Muntari’s wonderful 35-yard effort on the stroke of half-time was cancelled out by Diego Forlan’s swerving free-kick.  In the ensuring penalty shootout, Gyan showed a lot of composure and guts to step-up, and score again.  However, misses from John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah, left Sebastian Abreu to casually slot home the winning penalty.  It left Ghana feeling cheated and robbed, whilst Uruguay celebrated their first semi-final appearance since 1970.  They will face Holland in Cape Town tomorrow.

Saturday 3^rd July: Argentina 0-4 Germany

Germany sent out a hideous warning to the rest of the world, after destroying Argentina in Cape Town, and with it, send Diego Maradona’s management career down the toilet seat in the process.  After ripping England to shreds, Joachim Low’s side were full of confidence, and were infront after only two minutes, when the inspired Thomas Muller headed home from close-range.  In the second half, Argentina capitulated, under the force of a devastating attacking display, which saw a first international goal for dependable right-back Arne Friedrich and two goals from the potent Miroslav Klose.  It takes Klose to within one goal of equalling Ronaldo’s tally of 15 goals at FIFA World Cup Finals, and on this evidence, Spain will really need to up their game in Wednesday’s semi-final.

Saturday 3^rd July: Paraguay 0-1 Spain

David Villa scored his 5^th goal of this World Cup, though it took three strikes of the goalposts to seal Spain’s first ever place at the World Cup semi-finals.  A drab and dour quarter-final at Ellis Park, came to life when Oscar Cardozo was unnecessarily dragged down in the penalty area, by Gerard Pique.  Cardozo’s resulting spot kick was saved by Iker Casillas.  Less than sixty seconds later, Villa went down in the other penalty area, under minimal contact from Antolin Alcaraz.  The dopey Guatemalan referee handed Spain a lucky penalty.  Xabi Alonso converted first-time around, but encroachment, led to a retake.  On the second attempt, Alonso’s penalty was saved by Justo Villar, who on the rebound, brutally chopped down Cesc Fabregas, which was unseen by the officials, that would have struggled to referee a primary school match, let alone a World Cup quarter-final.  Villa’s winner came eight minutes from the end, after substitute Pedro’s effort rebounded off the woodwork and despite not playing at their best, the European Champions now have a repeat of the Euro 2008 final with Germany to look forward to, in Durban on Wednesday evening.

UEFA Champions League Final - Magic In Madrid For Mourinho

Last night, the city of magnificent Madrid belonged to the magic that is Jose Mourinho.  And it probably will for a good time to come, if the rumours are to be believed that he is destined for future management at the Bernabeau. 

His Inter Milan side coasted to a solid and impressive 2-0 success in the UEFA Champions League final, against a limp Bayern Munich side.  Inter didn’t need to be spectacular to seal their success, but their strengths in Jose’s tactical gameplay saw him overcome his mentor at Barcelona at the beginning of the century, Louis van Gaal.  Argentine Diego Milito, who has scored thirty goals in Serie A this season was the natural difference between the two sides, who two quality finishes that will have an on looking Diego Maradona licking his lips in anticipation with the World Cup just three weeks later.  Milito’s deadly finishing will have the likes of Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero worried over a first-team place ahead of the Argies opening group game against Nigeria on June 12^th.

After a bright opening, Inter faded badly, but against the run of play, took the crucial advantage ten minutes before half-time.  Julio Cesar’s hopeful kick up field found Milito, who combined brilliantly with the Inter playmaker, Wesley Snejider.  An interchange of passes followed, and Milito left his national countryman Martin Demichellis for dead, before coolly dispatching his effort past the advancing Hans-Jorg Butt.  After the break, Bayern attempted to get back into the game and their young German striker Thomas Muller came close, thwarted by the excellent Cesar, whose goalkeeping seems to get better with every passing match.  With twenty minutes to go and the dynamic Miroslav Klose on the pitch, Munich was ready to throw everything at the Italian defence, notably without a single Italian in the starting eleven.  However, just as they attempted this tactic, Inter produced another of those traditional breakaways, sealing the match in clinical fashion.

Snejider was fouled in the build-up, but English referee Howard Webb, who had a faultless game played on and the ball eventually reached Milito, who once again had the firm measure of Demichellis and his centre-back partner, Daniel Van Buyten.  Once again, his finish was emphatic, leaving Butt without a hope and Bayern without a prayer.  Van Gaal’s side looked inept of ideas, with Franck Ribery suspended and Arjen Robben man-marked by the experienced duo of Christian Chivu and Javier Zanetti. 

So, it was Mourinho’s night as he wrapped up a historic treble for Inter and their first European Cup in over forty years.  Time and again, they have flattered to deceive in this competition, as the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have brushed them aside with apparent ease.  It took the ‘Special One’ to unlock the cherished grail as he became only the third coach to win the European Cup with two different clubs.  Both Chelsea and Barcelona tumbled out to the Italians, who have firmly established themselves as a real leading powerhouse in European football.  However, whether the magic that Mourinho has will be passed onto his successor remains to be seen.  Jose Mourinho’s mission was for Inter Milan to become Champions of Europe, and this he had achieved.  Next destination surely is to tackle Barcelona’s dominance of La Liga with the underachieving stars that are Real Madrid.